Mat Pilates, a vital part of the Pilates Contrology Regimen

The first Pilates exercises I was ever acquainted with were the exercises developed for the mat by Joseph Humbertus Pilates. I learned some exercises at the Y. I did some in my dance classes. I bought Brooke Siler’s beautiful book. Frankly, I had no idea what it was I was doing. It just felt great. When folks are doing Pilates, according to Mr. Joe Pilates, you are doing the system of Contrology that he developed. So naturally, I started teaching it. At the beginning, I mixed my mat Pilates with my yoga. Later I went on to get full comprehensive training (mat and equipment), and still later, studied under Lolita San Miguel to become a master instructor.

Contrology is a complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit. Through Contrology you first purposefully acquire complete control of your own body and then through proper repetition of its exercises you gradually and progressively acquire that natural rhythm and coordination associated with all your subconscious activities.” -Pilates

I love that Pilates included a notion of spirit as part of health, and when I first began teaching the mat exercises, it seemed that core strengthening might give an advantage to us spiritual yogis who needed a little extra low back strength for our asanas and meditation.

Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit… Contrology is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace, and skill that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk, in the way you play, and in the way you work. You will develop muscular power with corresponding endurance, ability to perform arduous duties, to play strenuous games, to walk, run or travel for long distances without undue body fatigue or mental strain.And this by no means is the end.”

-Excerpts from Return to Life Through Contrology by Joseph Humbertus Pilates

When folks come in for a consultation, I will generally start them with an overview of what it feels like to be on the equipment. Very rarely, I have people who request mat or mat only. Sometimes, I have clients who it wouldn’t be safe to use the equipment with. Other folks have done mat Pilates at the gym or with a video. Most people want the equipment. It is jazzy. It is fun But mat is where it all begins and mat is what Pilates wrote his book about. It can be done at home using the book he wrote as an instruction manual.

Truthfully, the Pilates method is not meant to be one or the other. Joe Pilates meant for us to do both as we could. Mat and equipment are part of the same regimen. Pilates invented the Wunda Chair for home use too. It is a smaller piece of equipment that could fit into a small New York apartment where he was working and living the last 40 years or so of his life.

Mat classes at Jules Pilates are meant for everyone, all levels of Pilates experience. If you’re needing more Pilates in your life, they are are good way to incorporate it. You can use your new mat skills to bump your Pilates game or your athletic ability up a notch. If you have never done Pilates, start with a consultation or the Basic Mat offered once a month, not a regular group class. If you’ve been doing Pilates, come and join us for a little fun and games on the floor!

Mat Class Schedule at Jules Pilates (Summer 2018)

Tuesdays – 5:30 pm

Wednesdays – 7 am

Thursdays – 8 am

Fridays – 7 am

First Sunday (usually) of the month, Basic Mat is offered at an introductory class which teaches the lingo and gets you started understanding and practicing the underlying concepts of Pilates.

What’s Up?

What they say …

I first got to know Jules many years ago when I took my first yoga class with her. She was so patient and really helped me to not only understand yoga and breathing, but more importantly understand how those things related to my body. Now at 60 years old, I’ve been taking Pilates with Jules for about a year. I feel better than ever and because of her teaching I’ve been able to enjoy my hobbies of gardening, walking, …

I came across your website after searching for flossing exercises for my arm and shoulder which have given me a lot of trouble and pain lately.
I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada so I can’t come to your studio unfortunately.
I’m at work suffering with pain and just tried an exercise that you’re demonstrating and I already feel better!!
Just wanted you to know you’ve helped me out and wanted to say thanks!!

Just wanted you to know what a difference yesterday’s workouts made. Last night I was able to sleep on my back for the first time in several months–not distorting shoulders in usual “fetal position” mode.

I am bionic: two resurfaced knee caps and three back surgeries, one of which was a fusion. Jules always finds Pilates exercises I CAN do! She is one of a kind: never judges, leads by example, funny and well versed in life. It’s a winning combination that I heartily recommend. And then there are the cherry almond brownies that occasionally make it to the studio…

All through college I took yoga, and I always got A’s. The teacher never helped me do the poses right so I was always pulling my muscles. Then when I started doing yoga with Jules, she helped me get my body into the poses the right way so I felt a stretch in my muscles, rather than pulling them in the wrong way. It’s like your body works with you. With the other instructors I had, it was like my body was working aga…

I recently took an Introduction to Aerial Yoga class, not at all expecting to enjoy it. To my surprise I absolutely loved the amazing stretches I experienced in supported inversions. I know my Pilates practice gave me the strength and body awareness to experience hanging upside down not as scary and uncomfortable but fun and challenging. Jules’ watchful eye—reminding me to engage core and lats, lift tall out of m…

I wanted to write you a note to say thank you for consistently providing fantastic classes for your students. Each class I learn something new or get challenged with a new concept in a completely safe and accepting environment. I have learned so much about my body and how to move it. Thank you so much for inviting us all into your life each and every day. We are blessed.

Your classes are so enjoyable! Lately I’ve been trying to go to another class closer to my home. It gives me a better appreciation for your teaching style.
I like the elegance of your language/word choices in class, your ability to discuss the body and its mechanisms from a dancer’s or athlete’s point of view. I now am more grateful than ever for how you’ve let us “be” in poses without over-attention to “perfect”…

Jules is a wonderful teacher, the absolute best. She takes the time to gently and gradually help you move into correct yoga postures or Pilates forms in the way that best benefits your individual body. I have never been injured in Jules’ class, unlike other studios that I have attended. Jules classes are a celebration of ourselves, our bodies, and our lives. I feel safe in Jules’ classes and feel like I am there exer…